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PSYC 400 Course website

Psychology (PSYC) 402
Biological Psychology (Revision 5)

Revision 5 closed, replaced by current version.

View previous syllabus

Delivery mode: Individualized study or grouped study.
Online-enhanced.

Credits: 3 - Social Science*
*Course can also be used to fulfill Science area of study (credential students only). Please check the degree regulations for the program you are enrolled in, as not all credentials allow this.

Prerequisite: A senior high school level biology course (or an introductory university biology course) and a course in introductory psychology (or animal behaviour) are recommended.

Centre: Centre for Psychology

PSYC 402 has a Challenge for Credit option.

Course website

Overview

Psychology 402 examines the relationship between the brain and behaviour. The course explores the biological basis of behaviour, learning, memory, language, and thinking, as well as disorders that arise from nervous system malfunctioning.

Outline

Unit 1: The Major Issues

Unit 2: Nerve Cells and Nerve Impulses

Unit 3: Communication at Synapses

Unit 4: Anatomy of the Nervous System

Unit 5: Development and Plasticity of the Brain

Unit 6: Vision

Unit 7: The Other Sensory Systems and Attention

Unit 8: Movement

Unit 9: Wakefulness and Sleep

Unit 10: Internal Regulation

Unit 11: Reproductive Behaviours

Unit 12: Emotional Behaviours

Unit 13: The Biology of Learning and Memory

Unit 14: Lateralization and Language

Unit 15: Psychological Disorders

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Evaluation

To receive credit for PSYC 402, you must complete all of the course assignments, achieve a mark of at least 50 per cent on the final examination, and at least “D” (50 per cent) for the course composite grade. The weighting of assignments is as follows:

5 Quizzes Term Paper Final Exam Total
25% 35% 40% 100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

Kalat, J. W. (2004). Biological Psychology (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

Other Materials

The course materials include a student manual, workbook, and a study guide.

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